Kristen & Peter: New York Yacht Club, Newport Rhode Island

First a quick message to all our blog readers: sorry we’ve been out of the loop for the past few weeks!  We’ve been very busy, traveling quite a bit on shoots in and out of the country… but we’re back, and we’re happy to begin catching you up on all our excellent adventures in the coming days and weeks.  We have some exciting news to share soon!

Before we jetted off for a shoot in Mexico, I got an enthusiastic email from a wonderful, upbeat woman named Kristen in Massachusetts who wanted us to document her reception at The New York Yacht Club in Newport, Rhode Island.  She sounded wonderful on the phone… and we love shooting at the NYYC, but we were already booked to fly out on the day of her wedding for a shoot  on the Yucatan Peninsula (I know, we have a grueling job, right?)  Anyway, we tried connecting her with a bunch of our other super talented photographer friends, but the dates just weren’t aligning, so we decided to reschedule our flights and support this great couple in Rhode Island ourselves.

What I didn’t know then, was that these two were everything we love in clients: fun, smart, laid back, creative and enthusiastic.  We also seem to draw a disproportionate number of clients who are marathon runners, cyclists, climbers, olympic, pro and in their case: Ironman Triathletes.  I think next year we should start doing group rides with all our clients instead of meetings!!  (Don’t worry: we still love getting burgers and beer with our other, more sane clients as well!!)

Because of time constraints, we didn’t photograph their ceremony, and instead did a brief photo session afterwards on the grounds of the New York Yacht Club before their reception dinner.

White caps on Newport Harbor.

This year’s weather was much better than last year’s blizzard wedding , but it was FREEZING cold, and blowing a full gale.  Kristen and Peter were completely unfazed, and happy to wander and explore the property.  Kristen is an architect and fell in love with the buildings of The New York Yacht Club.  (Please note: because of our respect for the privacy of The New York Yacht Club, we purposefully will NOT be showing any images of the exterior facades of Harbour Court on our blog…. which is too bad because it’s a beautiful property, but we promised!!!)

Just a hint of the architectural detail that Kristen loves so much.  Beautiful.

The limited available light was spectacular.

But Peter and Kristen are not going to stop for anyone, and we couldn’t keep them still (or inside) for long.  Back into the 5 degree cold they went where we wandered looking for something “interesting” to work with.

As they climbed a small ridge, they discovered an old group of trees, and promptly climbed into them.

When I say “they climbed,” I mean they REALLY had to climb.  It was amazing.  Wedding dress, dress shoes, the whole nine yards… one moment they’re on the ground and the next they’re 11 years old climbing giant ancient trees and in awe of their size.

Kristen and Peter had such great enthusiasm… so happy to be married, so happy to be celebrating with family and friends.  It’s obvious how genuine their love is for one another.  We had so much fun!

Their beautiful rings.

By the time we moved inside, the cakes had been brought out.  Here is their wedding cake (above).

And here is the GROOM’s cake… a 40 pound monstrosity of carrot cake, cream cheese frosting and coconut shaving goodness.  The groom’s cake was handmade by Kristen’s mom.  Needless to say, I think she likes Peter a lot (40 pounds of love), and also… it was pretty easy to see that Kristen’s enthusiasm for life and laughing was hereditary.

Kristen’s mom.  Don’t worry… we have lots more photos of her constant, beautiful smile & infectious laughter!!!

Their first dance as husband and wife…

Flexible!

Following a dance with her dad, he hugs her tight.

The cake cutting was a supervised event.  This little boy just wanted to make sure everything was being done properly (and that he got some of that cake!!)

The traditional New York Yacht Club sparkler exit was wonderful!

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SEE THE COMPLETE WEDDING PHOTOS HERE (or go to www.brianwedge.com)

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Kristen & Peter: Thank you so much for sharing your day with me!  I had so much fun freezing to death out in the cold with you both!!!  Please share my thanks to your family and friends for being so welcoming.  When Peter’s family heard that I used to ski patrol in Utah and that I missed the Wasatch Mountains… I think I received a half dozen invitations to visit within five minutes.  You can’t ask for a nicer group of people, and I’m thankful I was able to meet everyone and document the joy!!

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Ceremony:  Boston Massachusetts Temple, Belmont, Massachusetts

Reception:  New York Yacht Club, Newport, Rhode Island (Julie/Jim: Thanks again for having me!!)